Branch Rickey

the highest award that can be given to citizens for their contributions to world peace or other endeavors. Later on, President George W. Bush awarded Jackie Robinson with the Congressional Gold Medal. This is the highest award that the legislative branch can give to a citizen for his contributions to American history. Lastly, following his death in 1972, Rachel Robinson, Jackie 's wife, started the Jackie Robinson Foundation. This is a non-profit organization that helps minority kids attend…

How Did Baseball Become America 's Pastime? “The Giants win the pennant! The Giants win the pennant! The Giants win the pennant! The Giants win the pennant!” New York Giants announcer Russ Hodges 1951 call of Bobby Thompson’s bottom of the ninth “shot heard round the world,” is perhaps the most famous call ever made in sports history. By 1951, baseball was firmly entrenched as “America’s pastime.” Barzun rightly stated, “Whoever wants to know the heart and mind of America had better learn…

Baseball throughout history has been there for American’s to enjoy even during its hardest times. Baseball made it through the civil war, the great depression, World War’s one and two. It has had its up’s and down’s just as society and America were having theirs during the same times. The same connection holds true with baseball and the American society when faced with slavery, racism, prejudice, and segregation towards the blacks. Despite the obvious flaws in society’s views in the past, the…

How the MLB will become a more ethnic sport over time. It’s no question that baseball is one of the most racist sports in the world. The Cleveland Indians have managed to create the most racist logo in sports of all time. It is very offensive as it is a cartoon Indian with a red face and a feather. But that’s just a logo. I want to talk about the players and the future of the league. The MLB consisting of 30 teams, 2 leagues (American and National) is one of the most increasing sports in…

It is no surprise that the first time a black man played with a white baseball team, also known as the great experiment, it was heavily covered in the press, because of the fact it was the first time a black man participated in the most popular pastime in America, previously deemed a sport for whites only. Jackie Robinson 's participation in the sport caught the attention of American 's everywhere, and drew large crowds to the stadiums, with fans curious to see how a black man playing on a…

Throughout history there has been numerous accounts of cultures being oppressed by another. There is one that stands out above all: oppression of African-Americans. However, we do not refer to this era as oppression but rather segregation. Segregation is defined as “a setting apart or separation of people or things from others or from the main body or group,” in this case from Caucasians (“The Definition of Segregation”). From the day the first slaves arrived in America until 1964 when President…

Matthew Moleres 11-10-14 New Mexico History H-hour Major League Baseball in New Mexico Why is Major League Baseball so significant to New Mexico? From the start to where the association is now and the money it brings into the state, are some of the most important parts of New Mexico’s history and in current day. It brings in revenue to the local businesses and it really gives a chance for some pros to come to New Mexico that are big names. Also it provides a chance for some of…

Jackie Robinson’s book I Never Had It Made really let me know the man behind his superstar baseball career and beyond. The book covered most of his life from hardcore racial discrimination he experienced on and off the field to the joy and love of his family. Before reading this book I really only knew him as a legendary baseball player and knew very little of his political work or his collaborations and disagreements with politicians and famous civil rights advocates. I really liked the book…

Jackie earned the title of Second Lieutenant in the United States Army in 1943 and was assigned to Fort Riley in Kansas. Here, he was the victim of tireless discrimination and intense racial hatred, resulting in him requesting a transfer. He was relocated to Fort Hood in Texas, but things were no different here, as the racist harassment continued. Finally, Jackie had had enough. On July 6th, 1943, he was ordered to move to the back of a military bus he had been seated on. Twelve whole years…

competing in the same athletic games. It was known that if Black's challenged these laws they would challenge not only everything they have but their lives as well. It wasn't until a man named Jackie Robinson and the Brooklyn Dodgers President Branch Rickey, would try to end the Jim Crow laws in baseball by signing Robinson to play for his team. Thus, the great or noble experiment…